Lubricating-axle.



UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE;

WILLIAM II. IfIoE'LL, or GRANDCANE, LOUISIANA.

LUBRICATING-AXLE.

SPECIFICATION forming* part Of Leiters Patent N0. 646,830, dated April3, 19O.

Application filed 001701381' 23, 1899. Serial. No. 734,507. (N0 model.)

T all whom t may concern:

Be it known that l, WILLIAM H. HoELL, a citizen of the United States,residing at Grandcane, in the parish of De Soto and State. of

Louisiana, have invented new and usefulA Improvements in Vehicle-Axles,gSkeins, and

Boxes, of .which the following is a specifica# ,features and in theconstruction, combination, and arrangement of parts hereinafterdescribed, and particularly pointed out in the claims followingV thedescription, reference being had to the accompanying drawings, formingapart of this speciiicatiomwherein- Figure 1 is a vertical longitudinalsectional view of my improved axle spindle, skein, and box. Fig. 2 is abottom plan view of the axlespindle, and Fig.-3 is a similar view of theaxle-skein. y

Referring to the drawings, the numeral -1 indicates the axle, 2, theaxle-spindle; the axle-skein, and 4 the axle-box.v The axlespindle isturned down or made of reduced diameter between its ends, as indicatedat 5, to form achamber for the reception of an oilpad 6. The oil-pad 6may consist of a strip of felt or other suitable fibrous material, andis conveniently` attached in place by wire loops or bands '7 twistedabout the spindle and pad. The u nreduced ends of the spindle areexteriorly screw-threaded, as indicated at 8 and 9, and over saidthreaded portions is screwed theaxle-skein-S, which is interiorlythreaded at its ends for the purpose, as indicated at 10 and 11. Inorder to prevent the axle-skein from accidentally becoming unscrewedfrom the spindle, I form a threaded hole 12 (shown in dotted lines) inthe unreL duced end 8 and a corresponding perforation 13 in the end ofthe axle-skein, said perforation and hole being arranged to registerwith each other when the skein is fully screwed up in place on thespindle, after which a machine-screw 14 is screwed through theperforation into the threaded hole and effectually prevents the skeinfrom turning on the spindle. As shown, the oil-pad 6 is secured to theunder side of the spindle,v so that the oil, which is supplied to thechamber 15 through perforations 16, formed in the upper side oftheskein, runs down by gravity to the pad and saturates the latter.Elongated slits or slots 17 are 'formed in the under side.

be found amply sufficient to keep the parts effectively lubricated,owing to the thorough manner in which the parts are protected and dustand the like excluded by the means which I will now describe.

Formed externally `on the inner end of the axle-skein is a collar 18,provided with an outwardly-projecting annular flange 19, that isconcentric with the skein and the internal diameter of which is slightlygreaterthan the external diameter of the skein, thereby forming anannular groove 2O between the skein and flange for the purpose presentlymade apparent. The axle-box 4 is rotatably fitted .over the skein, andat its inner end is provided with two concentric inwardly-extendingflanged collars, respectively numbered 21 and 22 in the drawings, anannular groove 23 being formed between said flanged collars, in thebottom of which is disposed a packingring 24, of leather or othersuitable material. When the axle-box is in place on the skein, the inneranged collar 2l fits in the groove 20, and the iianged collar 19 tits inthe groove 23, between the flanged collars 21 and 22. The outer end ofthe axle-box is slightly reduced in diameter internally, as at 25. Bythe means described oil is prevented from escaping between the axleskein and box and dirt, sand, and the like are eectually exeluded.

The threaded end 9 of the axle-spindle is extended beyond the end of theaxle-skein, and the latter is extended slightly beyond the end of theaxle-box. When the parts have been assembled in place, a carriage-nut 26is IOO screwed over the end 0 of the spindle. The nut is provided withan internal annular shoulder 27, that bears against the end of theskein, and with an annular flange 2S, that fits over the end of theskein. If preferred, a washer 20 may be fitted against the shoulder 27.In this manner dirt, sand, and the like are prevented from gainingentrance at the outer end ot' the axle.

The entire device constructed as above described is extremely simple andcomprises but few parts, which may be quickly taken apart for cleaning,oiling, or the like and as quickly assembled again. Owing to theimproved manner of applying the lubricant, the oil need only bereplenished at long intervals, thereby effecting an economy in both timeand labor and in the consumption of the lubricant. No wear occurs to theaxle-spindle, it being entirely taken up by the axle-skein, and when thelatter becomes suiiiciently worn to cause the parts to operate looselythe skein can be readily removed and replaced by a new one.

A groove 30, rectangular in cross-section, is preferably formed in theunder side of the inner end of the axle-skein. This is for the purposeot receiving a clip-plate that is used in connection with an axle-clipwhen a wooden cap-piece is fitted to the upper side of the axle, theclip-plate and axle-clip operating to clamp the wooden cap-piece on theaxle.

Having described my invention, what I claim isl. The combination with ametallic axlespindle reduced between its endsl to form an annularoil-chamber, of an axle-skein fitted over the enlarged ends of thespindle and provided with elongated slits in its under side throughwhich the oil is fed by gravity, an oilpad disposed in said chamberbetween the spindle and axle-skein and over said slits, said pad beingclamped on the spindle, and

means for locking the axle-skein on the spin# dle to prevent the formerfrom turning independently of the latter, substantially as described.

2. The combination with a metallic axlespindle reduced between its endsto form an annular oil-chamber, of an axle-skein fitted over theenlarged ends of the spindle and provided with elongated slits in itsunder side through which the oil is fed by gravity, and provided on itsupper side with oil-feed openings, a fibrous oil-pad disposedlongitudinally in the bottom of said chamber between the spindle andaxle-skein and over said slits, attaching-'bands clamped about the padand spindle, and means for locking the axle-skein on the spindle toprevent the former from turning independently of the latter,substantialiy as described.

3. The combination with a 'metallic axlespindle reduced between its endsto form an annular oil-chamber, ofA an axle-skein fitted over theenlarged ends ofthe spindle and provided with elongated slits in itsunder side through which the oil is fed by gravity and provided on itsupper side with oil-feed openings, an oil-pad disposed longitudinally inthe bottom of said chamber between the spindle and axle-skeinv and oversaid slits, Wires tightly encircling said pad and spindle and securedtogether at their ends, and a screwpassing through the inner end of theaxleskein and engaging a socket at theinner enlarged end of the spindle,substantially as described.

In testimony whereof I have hereunto set my hand in presence ot' twosubscribing witnesses.

WILLIAM II. IIOELL.

Witnesses:

L. Y. TIDWELL, E. W. IIoELL.

